Improvement in window-blinds



mans

PATENT FFIC IMPROVEMENT IN WINDOW-BLINDS Specification forming part ofLetters Patent No. 185,100, dated December 5, 1876; application filedAugust 14, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ELMER .GREEN, of NorthEast, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Window-Blinds; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

The nature of my invention consists in tapering the holes in which arepivoted the slats of a window-blind, and also in tapering the tenon ofthe slats, as hereinafter more fully described.

My device is shown in the accompanying drawing, as follows:

Figure l is an elevation view of a blind containing my improvements.Fig. 2 is a vertical and cross section through the same; and Fig. 3 is ahorizontal section throughthe same.

The letters of reference indicate parts, as follows:

A A A are the cross-rails. B B are the slats; b, the gudgeons of theslats; O G, the inner vertical rails. D is the rod for turning theslats.

' By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the cross-rails A, A, andA, are finished on the edge that comes in contact with the slats with arabbet, a, which, as shown in the drawing, is ogee-shaped; but anysloping or rectangular cut will do, but I prefer the ogeeshape, as it ismore ornamental. The objects of these rabbets are to form a lap for orwith the slat, and also to form a water-shed on the upper side of therails A A, and on the un- (ler side of the rails A A it forms, besidesthe lap, a recess for the end of the slat-turning rod D.

I believe that a lap has been heretofore formed by placing a piece of aslat at an angle across the length of the rail, against which the slatswould shut when closed.

The advantage of my mode of construction is that the stuff for the railscan be run out in long lengths with the rabbet on. In fact, I secure alap for the slats without any extra work at all. The advantage of aWater-shed at the points named is considerable, as it provents the waterstanding on the rail, from whence, especially after the blinds havebecome weather-worn, it is soaked into the joints and hastens the decayand destruction of the blind. As blinds are now made, a recess for theslat-turning rod D has to be cut out of the rail at the proper place, sothe slats By my construction this is y can close tight. obviated, as therabbet serves that purpose. Thus considerable labor is saved.

Another feature of my invention is the form of the rabbet on the inneror vertical rail or stile C. All blinds join in the center of the windowby a rabbet-joint, but I believe a rectangular rabbet is used, and whenthe blind is swollen in wet weather they often refuse to close, and itis necessary to set the faces of the rabbets together and then draw bothblinds in at once. This strains the hinges, and sometimes breaks them.Then, in dry weather, when the blind is shrunk, the joint is too open.To obviate these difficulties, I use at this place on the blind, anogee-rabbet. (See Fig. 3.) With this form of rabbet the blinds willalways shut easily and closely.

Another feature of my invention consists in making the holes in whichthe slats are pivoted tapering or conical shaped, (see Fig. 3,) and alsoforming the gudgeons of the slats correspondingly and of a properlength, so the bearing will be on the point of the gudgeon.

The object of this form of construction is to bring the bearing in sofar that paint getting into the holes will not stick the slat so itcannot be turned. Besides, the holes being tapering, as shown, paint orwater getting in will run back out, while in a straight hole it willstay there and make trouble. Another object or result of this form ofhole and place of bearing is economizing the amount of stuff used inmaking the slats. 7

When the hole is straight the tenon is straight, and to make the tenonof sufficient size to insure proper strength, the slats must be thickerthan necessary. But having the hearing at the point of the tenon; thereis no necessity of the tenon being round, except at the point; so I canget the necessary strength by widening the tenon at the base, and thus-I make a slat of much thinner stuff, and find I save nearly one half ofthe material.

' What I claim as my invention is as follows:

1-. A window-blind slat, having aconical tenon, in combination with astile, having a conical hole for the said tenon, said arrangement beingfor the purpose of givingmdqear;

the

I GREEN, have hereunto set my hand.

ing to the tenon at its inner end, and for other purposes set forth.

2. A window-blind consistingof the crossrails A A A", constructed as setforth, inner vertical rail 0, rabbeted with anogee-rabbet, slats whosetenon has a tapering, pointed, or

conical form, and. the holes in which said slats are pivoted tapering inform, the whole constructed and. arranged to operate substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I, the said ELMER ELMER GREEN.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS PETER LIEBEL, JNO. K. HALLOGK.

